Political will

We don’t need a rocket scientist to tell us that one of the major reasons for the clogging up of EDSA even on non-peak hours of traffic is the presence of too many buses, most, if not all, are half-filled with passengers.

With the new "bus scheme" of the MMDA, where buses would be dispatched to run along EDSA only when they are full, we expect to have a breather from these unnecessary fuel guzzlers and their unhealthy unlawful level emissions that have wantonly made it a habit to swerve in and out of their lanes thereby perennially posing hazards to other motorists.

Our MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is both loved and hated by many, depending on which side of the fence of advantage or disadvantage they may belong, because of his political will. And it is now, more than ever, that we need the good chairman’s determination to see this endeavor through.

Many consider the rationale of the "bus scheme" as being in place, considering that even the bus operators and drivers would be making better margins not only by having the assurance of having an occupied bus while running but also by the savings of not running half-filled consuming a lot of fuel in the process.

As always, there will be the "ever contrary" to anything new or anything coming from the MMDA chairman, but now is the time to show political will, not for the sake of showing machismo but for the sake of the suffering metro populace that regularly travels the length of EDSA bearing all he ill effects of having too many buses in the metro’s main thoroughfare.

Mike finally decides to pick up the mike

Mike Coyuito, the usually shy and soft-spoken president of PGA Cars, Inc. and younger sibling of insurance magnate and stock market tycoon Robert Coyuito, thought it was about time that he said something about what has been dubbed by many as the "Audi fiasco" in the Philippines.

In this column last week I made mention of how people, especially those who own and are intending to buy an Audi car are confused as to who they should really approach for anything about Audi. The big ads that almost alternately appear in the motoring pages of the main dailies display similar claims both from Auto Prominence Corporation and PGA Cars, Inc. of being the sole and authorized representative of AUDI AG, the German manufacturer of high-end Audi cars in the country.

In his hope to clear the air and at the same time guide those who own Audi vehicles who need to have their regular maintenance services or may have other after sales service requirements, Mike simply guided us through the chronology of events surrounding Audi AG’s termination of the partnership agreement with Auto Prominence up to the present, and we quote;

September 30, 2004

a) Audi AG served notice to Auto Prominence that the agreement on the sale of products of the Audi marquee will be terminated effective March 31, 2005

b) Audi AG and PGA Cars, Inc. sign a letter of intent with regard to the Import and Distribution of Audi products and Audi AG appoints PGA Cars as the Audi importer, distributor/retailer and service provider in the Philippines effective April 1, 2005.

March 21, 2005

a) Auto Prominence filed a case with the Regional Trial Court of Alaminos, Pangasinan asking for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the termination of the appointment of Auto Prominence by Audi AG.

April 1, 2005

a) PGA Cars officially began operations as an Audi importer.

May 6, 2005

a) PGA Cars formally inaugurated it Audi Showroom and simultaneously launched the Audi 6.

June 26, 2005

a) Atty. Jose Bernas, the legal counsel of Audi AG in the Philippines, published in most of the major dailies a Notice to the Public announcing the termination of Auto Prominence and the appointment of PGA Cars as the authorized Audi importer, distributor/retailer and services provider.

Mike added though that many Audi owners have been increasingly coming to them for all their service needs upon finding out of the following:

1) PGA Cars has the only permanent virtual on-line connection with the Audi AG factory and has the sole access to on-line car ordering system from the Audi factory in Ingolstadt, Germany with full warranty.

2) PGA Cars is the only one with the access to the Audi AG on-line parts ordering system with genuine Audi parts.

3) PGA Cars has the only virtual on-line connection with the Audi AG factory and its computerized car diagnostic equipment (GEKO) and is the only one capable of performing critical Audi servicing procedures such as; a) resetting vehicle immobilizer and alarm systems b) resetting remote control key functions c) updating programs of the computerized/electronic systems d) retrieval and resetting of vehicle radio code.

We can only give these two parties, both friends of ours, the opportunity to let the public know what they have to say. It’s only for me to say to listen to both of them. In fairness to the contending parties I still have to hear any side saying something negative against the other. The conflict is very civil.

Will the "Audi fiasco" saga continue?

To Pattaya to focus on the Focus

As you read this I would probably be on my way or already in Thailand together with a slew of Philippine motoring journalists to join our media peers from the ASEAN region for some workshop and a lot of driving aboard the newly-launched Ford Focus.

The Ford-hosted trip aims to initiate the invited motoring media to all the unique and exceptional attributes of the Focus — one of Ford’s vehicles that has gained so much recognition and acceptance in the European market with similar success in Australia and Taiwan and which just recently made its debut in the Philippines.

These junkets with a lot driving are what motoring journalists always look forward to and I’ll give you the highlights of this event the next time. Judging from the itinerary that I was handed we’ll most probably have some exciting driving experiences right at the Bira racing circuit in Pattaya.

Pit Lane Notes

Michael Schumacher has finally admitted defeat. He has conceded. He stated that he believes that this season’s championship is no longer within reach. Maybe this is what he needs, really. After all, barely a week after admitting to himself that winning the title is probably a long shot at this point; here he comes claiming both his 46th pole and a podium finish in Hungary. Maybe with all the pressure of his shoulders, he can go back to being the Schumi of old.

Kimi Raikkonen is looking more and more like the heir apparent of Mika Hakkinen. His cool nonchalance and shy demeanor is reminiscent of the original Flying Finn of F1 Racing. His Hungarian Grand Prix victory is just a foreshadowing of things to come. I expect him and Fernando Alonso to fight it out tooth and nail — much like Mika and Michael used to — for the Driver’s Championship.

Here it comes again. Deja vu. The tug-of-war for Jenson Button is back. BAR Honda is intent on keeping him, while BMW-Williams have their minds set on "pirating" the Briton. Also, we can’t forget about the talks going around of Ferrari’s interest in the youngster. And all this for a guy who can do no better than 3rd place. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan. I think he’s a highly skilled and incredibly talented driver. But what’s all the fuss about? I don’t see teams fighting over Alonso or Raikkonen. Why Button?

Motoring Tip of the Week

Are you one of those who consider the whole wide world a big trash can? Do you throw your garbage from out of your vehicle to the road?

If you are, shame on you!

Please, just have a plastic bag or a small trash can inside your vehicle where you can deposit your rubbish. Now, most gas stations would welcome to have your trash on their waiting garbage bins located beside their pumps.

It’s time to stop being a shameful litterbug.

Happy Motoring!!!

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